"Everywhere in the galaxy, at all times... it sounds like some kind of urban legend. There was such superstition on Earth. I managed to call it the Count."
I'm wondering if you're ever joking, but still, Taro puts surprise on his face when it's hard to believe. To him like that, Phantom has silently offered him a flat-sized card.
"Something about this... is it some precious metal?
The card glowing in silver was completely blank and returned a lukewarm and beautiful reflection when illuminated by the light.
"No, the metal itself is nothing. The paint is changing a little, and this is how it reacts."
Phantom pinched Taro's card with his index finger and thumb when he removed the black gloves he always wore, albeit so well.
"Whoa, the letters come to mind. It feels like an ID... by the way, what's this" Naraza "?
The holographic letter Narraza that surfaced on the card. That disappeared as soon as Phantom let go of his finger.
"Naraza is the name of a mutual aid organization in which outsiders participate. Officially the Narraza Society. With proper registration in the Galactic Empire, it's easy for anyone to find out. It has about 80 million members, and its members are scattered all over the galaxy. I guess it was just over a thousand years old this year. Although the activities are mainly based on the exchange of information between them, sometimes they involve volunteering or soliciting funds to run non-profit organizations. I wonder if those unwelcome to society have joined hands."
That's what Phantom said, he's taken a few chips out of the drawer. When Taro received it, he confirmed from the tip that the Naraza Club was indeed a non-governmental organization everywhere.
"It doesn't look particularly unusual when it comes to this... well, that's what it is. This is Mr. Phantom's secret source."
Blurry and tall as a solitaire. With 80 million sources scattered across the galaxy, I did feel that most of the information was likely to be collected.
"Hehe, I wonder if it will. However, it is forbidden for each person to act or provide information that would endanger his or her position. This is the worst case scenario where the Narazza Society itself is endangered by society. Of course, I've never shared information that touches the confidentiality of Rising Sun, and I don't intend to. I want you to believe that... Oh, I've talked about outlines and impressions, for example, as soon as I look them up?
"No, well, I don't mind that, and I believe you, but is it worth the information you can gather in such a rough way?
"Well, I do. For example, if you think of me as a source of information, the information about the RS Alliance and Rising Sun is irrelevant. Absolutely not. But what about EAP, for example?
"............ I see. To the extent that it doesn't affect us, secrets of other companies."
Taro put his arms together enough to say another question.
"But in the end, you can't do that without being in a position to have important information like Mr. Phantom. You don't think they're all intelligence agents or something? What do members do with most of their outsiders, right?
To Taro's doubt, Phantom laughed small.
"No way. Most of them are just company employees. Besides, as for the position, why don't we just put that kind of information in a position where we can freely handle it? You just have to come out by proper means. You're right, I know it's a little difficult for a normal outsider. There are plenty of people who are just full of life."
"I see. But that sounds like a long story... oh, no -"
As Taro waved in front of his face, he relaxed heavily on the couch with the comfort of something falling into Ston's heart.
"Was there someone in front of you who was doing that right now......... but I see. That's what you said one day, that's why you're helping me. There's an exception to that, isn't there?
Taro sends a gaze with inclusion. And "Ah," Phantom closed his eyes.
"If it's information that would adversely affect the entire outsider, it's not the story. After minimizing the possibility of endangering the organization, you are allowed to move freely."
To answer as expected, Taro was adept at pointing his index finger to the ceiling.
I mean, surveillance, right?
A tone that pokes or asks. Besides, Phantom gave some bad looks.
"That doesn't mean I approached you just for the purpose, but it's also true that there was a reason for that. Outsiders live a lot of their lives in outer space. We need to keep an eye on the emerging forces in self-defense."
To Phantom's answer, Taro nodded satisfactorily.
"Well, can I just pass? There's a connection between the neck and the torso."
Phantom clasped his shoulders and opened his hands to Taro's sarcastic remarks.
"Give me a break. I knew from the first time I met you that you weren't the kind of person to be targeted for our assassination. I'd rather bet on your possibilities than surveillance."
In Phantom's words, Taro said, "Possibilities?" I floated a question mark.
"That's right. Possibility. You may not know, but it's very rare to be a manager who can go after things like righteousness, righteousness, fellowship, fraternity, and profitability. All the more so when you're not discriminating against the outsiders. Well-developed networks mercilessly accelerate natural phase-out between companies. Companies that say sweet things don't survive."
"Maybe not from now on," Phantom added. When Taro thought of the collapse of the old neural net, he imagined an era of diversity that he might be about to visit.
"I don't think I'm such a big deal......... at least Earth. Then I think I'm the dominant thinker. I guess."
"Ho, is that so? Well, I'm looking forward to it."
"Do you... Hmm? Uh, hey, you expect something from Earth, too?
"Well, of course. From your story, I guess the Earthlings are all outsiders? A society made up of only outsiders. Isn't that wonderful? It's an ideal place from us. I guess we're going to be overriding BISHOP from the next generation, but that should still be some reference. Planet Newk, I don't know. I was a little halfway there."
Some unfortunate Phantom. "Bye," Taro offered his right hand, returning a bitter laugh. Fantom tilting his neck strangely.
"Please keep it up. It was a lot of shocking talk, but it doesn't seem to be detrimental to Rising Sun. Instead, considering the work of Mr. Phantom so far, I feel like we're taking care of Naraza a lot more."
That's what Taro said and waited with his hands open. Phantom looked decent for a while, but eventually took Taro's hand while laughing bitterly.
"Oh man......... you really seem like a good man. Nice to meet you too. I just think it's a little early to offer a handshake."
Phantom began to attach to Taro's right hand as he removed his usual gloves from his hips with the opposite hand he was shaking. Gloves in anti-impact hardening material, covering hands. Taro said, "Something about this?" and made sure the thick gloves felt like a bump.
"You must have one question you haven't asked yet."
A short word of Phantom. As Taro turned his gaze to Phantom, he dropped it on the floor.
"Well, that's right......... I'll ask you first"
Taro once stopped breathing, he emitted wondering if it was really good to say.
"Why do we need to talk about this now? Regardless of Coleman, I don't know the trick from Naraza. It's like some kind of secret society atmosphere, and from Mr. Phantom's point of view, shouldn't we just keep it to ourselves? I've been like this before."
Simple question. It didn't seem like the kind of person Phantom would confess from the blame of his conscience, nor did it seem like something he would do in vain. For example, Taro thought there must be some reason.
"... as you may know, it's made of material that hardens when impacted. You'll be a little paralyzed, but punching an iron wall won't hurt your fist."
Phantom pointing to Taro's hand. Phantom kept opening his mouth as Taro tilted his neck at what
"To draw your sympathy, Master Taylor. And I wonder if there are threats. The Narraza wants to do something about the example station, but they just don't have the power to do it to the mutual aid club. As for the meeting, you don't even have one battleship... but maybe you don't"
A phantom that narrows your eyes. Taro was going to do that more than he did, so he tried to open his mouth with nothing else.
"Dr. Aljimov has determined the approximate direction in which the Earth seems to exist"
It blocked Taro's words and Phantom pronounced them. Hear that, solidify Taro.
"Sounds like a pretty credible number. Looks like the research team concluded from the ruins of New York that an overdrive would not have been possible without a fairly high particle density on the ship at the time. They compared the elapsed time density of the drive particles to the performance of the spacecraft that was in New York, and recalculated a route that would be roughly realistic. After that, we can follow that route while we investigate."
When Phantom said so, the table between Taro and Phantom went aside. "And one more thing," he said as he stood up in front of Taro.
"A few moments from the Mercenaries, there should come a proposal to stop the current economic blockade and the declaration of war planned for the future, on the condition that we take our hands off the example station. It would not be a lie because it is okay to issue a contract via the Imperial Army. In common sense, you should take this suggestion. And we should make Earth exploration more authentic."
Phantom voice without emotion. When Taro heard it, he often thought, stood up, and sighed.
"But then when you get in trouble. After I pulled my sympathy, I threatened to... Well, it seems like a request at once, so I'll finally, but don't expect me to. I don't remember the last time you had a fight or anything."
Taro said so, punching Phantom in the face with all his might. The tall sound of hardening material and iron hitting the room makes Phantom step back. Taro threw his gloves off his hands numbing with impact and threw them over the couch.
"Even if you don't do that, I'm not willing to drink the Mercenaries' proposal. Don't you think good people mean people who can't ignore that?
When Taro said that, he left the room behind with Phantom bleeding out of his mouth on his ass.
"Oh, Taylor. Are we done talking? What's wrong with having a lot of time...
Waiting for Taro, who left Phantom's room, was Marr's figure leaning against the wall with Xiaomei. "You look like the worst," she said worried as she made a surprise peek into Taro's face.
"Oh well... well, I've been pretty patient."
When Taro said so, he walked out of Marr trying to turn away from him. And the two of them follow in a slightly delayed fashion. Taro kept walking silently for a while before opening his mouth.
"He said that the Doctor had found a powerful clue about the planet, and that he would forgive the Mercenaries if they pulled their hands off that station for a while. If you think about it in common sense, you should accept the conversation, but Mr. Phantom asked me not to."
When Taro did so, he looked down and held his chest down. Marl and Xiaomei remained silent, but kept talking.
"That's what you decided to do if they didn't tell you......... but if you bump into the Mercenaries, naturally there will be a lot of sacrifices. That guy tried to take on the responsibility and regret that I would feel for doing that...... damn, why are all the gentle people around me"
Taro said so and kicked him to the ground, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.